Ball-assisted smoking device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a cartridge for a handheld smoking device with angled holes provided therein. The cartridge includes balls that rotate upon inhalation by a user. Orifices are provided in the cartridge that are angled in such a manner to cause air to flow in a particular direction and push the balls against the portion of the cartridge where product is likely to be located. The balls are therefore utilized more efficiently to distribute heat to the product and improve air flow within the handheld smoking device.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to devices forconsuming combustible products. More particularly, the presentlydisclosed embodiments relate to a handheld smoking device that improvesdistribution of heat and air flow to combustible products using rotatingballs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The recent legalization of cannabis products has brought with it aslurry of new consumption methods. While tobacco was traditionallyconsumed with a pipe, cigarette papers, or through chewing, cannabisconsumption has inspired technology never seen before. Much of thecannabis industry is devoted to raw plant-based consumption of thecannabis buds (referred to sometimes as “flower”). But other consumptionmethods are available for those seeking a more contemporary experience.For example, cannabis products can be consumed with a wax concentratesubstance, edibles, “flower,” vape cartridges, and more.

With different products come different ingestion methods. Gone are thedays when a glass pipe or “joint” was the assumed method of consumption.Vaporizers, dab pens, and vape pens provide a new and interesting way toconsume cannabis with the many different products available. Even withinthese categories, various companies have implemented measures to improveair flow and heating efficiency within the consumption device, such asballs that spin upon inhalation. So-called “terp pearls” are small ballsthat are placed inside the banger of a dab rig to utilize the naturalair flow provided by the inhalation of the user and spin within thebanger. The end result is the balls distribute the heat to the entiretyof the product while spinning, circulate air to improve fluid flow, andoverall improve the inhalation experience. The balls can help prevent“puddling” by more efficiently distributing the heat to the product.

Conventional banger beads sit in a bottom of a banger in a dab rig andare rotated through air pulled from a single orifice. The air draw cancause the beads to rotate, but further improvements can be made toprevent the beads from rising out of the bottom of the banger whereproduct sits and where heat needs to be distributed. Further versatilitybeyond dab rigs can also beneficial, with there being no known uses ofterp pearls with a pen-type device. Of course, various structuralchallenges would need to be overcome to provide a pen-type device thatcan be utilized with terp pearls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed embodiments relate to a portable smoking devicewith balls provided therein that rotate upon inhalation by a user. Thedevice can include a cartridge with angled orifices that cause air toflow in a particular direction and push the balls against the portion ofthe cartridge where product is likely to be located. The balls aretherefore utilized more efficiently to distribute heat to the productand air flow to the handheld smoking device upon inhalation by a user.The arrangement of the heating element and cartridge can allow thistechnology to exist within a portable smoking device such as a pen-typedevice. In an optional embodiment, a removable cartridge can be providedwhere the balls and product can be associated with one another prior tothe user even purchasing the product. As a result, the balls can be usedmore efficiently and with a more custom pairing of balls and product.

In particular, the presently disclosed embodiments include a combustiondevice including a base extending in an axial direction, a heatingelement coupled to the power supply and capable of increasing intemperature based on activation through the power supply, and acartridge. The cartridge includes a cap, and a chamber having an openingat a first end and a bottom at a second end, where the opening coupleswith the cap to enclose the chamber. The cartridge includes orificesdefined therein, and at least one of the orifices is aligned at anon-zero angle with respect to the axial direction of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject mattersought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, whenconsidered in connection with the following description, the subjectmatter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and manyof its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a front partially-exploded view of a handheld smoking deviceshowing internal features in broken lines according to at least some ofthe presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a front partially-exploded view of a handheld smoking deviceaccording to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a handheld smoking deviceaccording to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a cartridge according to at least some of thepresently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a cartridge according to at leastsome of the presently disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described indetail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. As used herein, theterm “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of theclaimed invention and is instead a term used to discuss exemplaryembodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.

The presently disclosed embodiments relate to a cartridge for a handheldsmoking device. The cartridge includes balls provided therein thatrotate upon inhalation by a user. The device can include a heatingelement aligned with the cartridge to selectively apply heat to thecartridge while the balls are spinning. Orifices are provided in thecartridge that are angled in such a manner to cause air to flow in aparticular direction and push the balls against the portion of thecartridge where product is likely to be located. The balls are thereforeutilized more efficiently to distribute heat to the product and improveair flow within the handheld smoking device. In an optional embodiment,the cartridge is removable to permit custom pairing of balls and productin cartridge form to provide a more tailor-made experience to the user.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 , a smoking device 100 extends from a firstextreme end 100 a to a second extreme end 100 b. The device 100 ispowered by a power supply 105 within a base 107, and product to beconsumed is placed within a cartridge 110 located proximate the firstextreme end 100 a. The cartridge 110 can include a cap 115 that covers achamber 120 to enclose the cartridge 100 while product is presenttherein. For example, the cap 115 can be friction-fit or snap-fit to thechamber 120, or can be hinged to the chamber 120, or any other couplingthat allows the cap 115 to expose the chamber 120 and allow product tobe inserted therein. The chamber 120 can have a bottom 120 a that islocated proximate a heating element 125, and an opening 120 b thatreceives the product opposite the bottom 120 b. The bottom 120 b can beheated by a heating element 125 so product inside the cartridge 110 canbe heated and consumed. A button 130 can be used to activate the powersupply 105 and draw power to the heating element 125 to thereby heat theproduct to the consumed. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, thepower supply 105 can be automatically activated upon inhalation by theuser. For example, the device 100 may include a pressure sensor thatsenses a pressure change in the chamber 120

The device 100 can be a handheld device or can be a stationary rigdevice, bong, or other such cannabis or tobacco smoking apparatus. Thecartridge and angled orifice aspect of the invention is not limited tosimply a dab pen, vape pen, or bowl and can be implemented in a varietyof different devices. As used herein, the term “combustion device”refers to any device that is capable of causing a product to yield avapor or smoke in response to heat or radiation.

As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the device 100 can be a portablehandheld device capable of being carried by a user, often referred to asa “pen” device. Pen devices are defined by their elongate shape—that is,their base 107 has a greater length than width and the base 107 isgenerally cylindrical or shaped as a prism (e.g., elliptical prism,rectangular prism). In a preferred embodiment, the device 100 is a pendevice in a similar sense, and includes the cartridge 110 extendingaxially from the base 107 but not beyond the radial perimeter of thebase 107. This structure allows for the portability of the pen devicebut brings with it challenges that are met by the structure of thepresent invention.

The heating element 125 can be strategically placed directly below thebottom 120 a of the cartridge 110 to heat product placed therein. In sodoing, the balls can be utilized to more efficiently deliver heat to theproduct being consumed without requiring a flame to heat the product, aswith conventional products that utilize balls in this fashion. Theheating element 125 can also be adjustable in heat to provide a lower orhigher amount of heat to the product, depending on the product andpreferences of the user. For example, some users prefer low heatapplications to achieve a better terpene profile and improved taste ofthe product. In this instance, the spinning balls can efficiently heatthe product at a lower temperature due to the improved efficiency andthe adjustable heating element 125 can be set to a lower temperature.

The power supply 105 can be any source of power that can cause theheating element 125 to heat and therefore combust the product. Forexample, the power supply 105 can be a wired connection to a standardoutlet, or a battery that is placed inside a housing. In the event thedevice 100 is a handheld pen device, the power supply 105 can be aconventional battery, such as one or more replaceable AA batteries or arechargeable battery that can be recharged through a mini-USB or similarport.

The cartridge 110 can be a fixed or removable cartridge that connects toor is fixed to the base 107. For example, in an optional embodiment inwhich the cartridge is removable, the cartridge 110 can snap-fit orfriction-fit to the power supply 105 by connecting the bottom 120 a ofthe chamber 120 to an indentation 137 provided in the base 107.Alternatively, the cartridge 110 can connect to the base 107 using anytemporary or permanent coupling, such as a magnet, adhesive, fasteners,threads, or any other means.

The optional embodiment of a removable cartridge 110 offers severaladvantages. For example, a removable cartridge 110 permits themanufacturer to custom pair certain size balls with certain productswithin the chamber 120 of the cartridge 110. Certain products requiremore heat distribution than others and can benefit from a largerquantity of smaller balls to provide that distribution. Different sizecartridges 110 also require different size balls due to the air flowthrough the cartridge. Further, various caps 115 can be shapeddifferently for decorative or functional reasons, and the air flowthrough the cartridge 110 can be different as a result. Accordingly,cartridges 110 can be preassembled with custom-paired caps 115 andchambers 120, or balls and product, or other elements that affect theconsumption process.

The cartridge 110 of the presently disclosed embodiments has anadvantageous orifice configuration that allows the use of a “terp pearl”arrangement with a pen-type device. In particular, the cartridge 110 caninclude orifices 135 that permit entry of air into the chamber 120 sothat the balls can spin and distribute heat to the product andcirculation to the air located inside the chamber 120. The orifices 135can be angled with respect to the axial direction of the device 100 toprovide air inflow in a direction that pushes the balls into the producton the lower side of the cartridge 110, proximate the bottom 120 a. Forexample, orifices 135 that are angled in the same direction as the axisof the device 100 can prevent the balls from rotating such that theintended purpose of the balls is not realized. However, orifices 135that are angled perpendicular to the axial direction of the device 100can cause the balls to “ride up” the chamber 120 or bounce around thechamber 120 without spinning. The angled nature of the orifices 135 ofthe presently disclosed embodiments allows the balls to spin withoutunduly riding upward in the chamber 120 and out of the product, althoughsome riding is permissible. As shown, the orifices 135 can be definedwithin the cap 115, but the orifices 135 can further be provided in thechamber 120 or any other portion of the cartridge 110. Also as shown,the orifices 135 need not be located at the first extreme end 110 a butmerely need to communicate air from outside the chamber 110 to theinside of the chamber 110 while being oriented at a non-zero angle withrespect to the axial directio, i.e., in a manner that is notperpendicular or parallel/coaxial to the axial direction of the device100.

The heating element 125 can be any element capable of being heated orenergized to cause heat to be emitted therefrom. For example, theheating element 125 can be a ceramic or metallic heating element thatincreases in heat when current is provided to it by the power supply105. The heating element 125 can also be a simple wire, coil, or rodthat heats based on current provided thereto, or a flammable component(e.g., gas or pellets) that are provided to heat the product within thecartridge 110. Any other manner of heating can be implemented withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the cartridge 110 in bottomperspective view. As shown, the cartridge 110 includes the cap 115 andchamber 120 as discussed previously. However, the cartridge 110 can alsoinclude a window 140 to permit the viewing of the product being consumedor the balls spinning within the chamber 120.

As used herein, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents arenot intended to necessarily be limited to direct, mechanical coupling oftwo or more components. Instead, the term “coupled” and its functionalequivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirect mechanical,electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects,features, work pieces, and/or environmental matter. “Coupled” is alsointended to mean, in some examples, one object being integral withanother object.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors'contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended tobe defined in the following claims when viewed in their properperspective based on the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld device comprising: an elongated baseextending in an axial direction and having first and second endsopposite one another; a heating element coupled to the base and capableof increasing in temperature based on activation through a power supply;a cartridge coupled to the first end and comprising: a cap; a chamberhaving an opening at a first end and a bottom at a second end, theopening coupling with the cap to enclose the chamber, wherein thecartridge includes orifices defined therein, and wherein at least one ofthe orifices is aligned at a non-zero angle with respect to the axialdirection of the base.
 2. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein thecartridge is removable from the base upon actuation by a user.
 3. Thehandheld device of claim 2, wherein the base includes an indentation andthe removable cartridge is friction fit within the indentation.
 4. Thehandheld device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is provided withinthe base.
 5. The handheld device of claim 4, further comprising a buttonassociated with the power supply and adapted to cause the power supplyto supply current to the heating element so as to cause the heatingelement to heat.
 6. A handheld device comprising: an elongated baseextending in an axial direction; a heating element coupled to the baseand capable of increasing in temperature based on activation through apower supply; a cartridge comprising: a cap; a chamber having an openingat a first end and a bottom at a second end, the cap coupling with thedevice so as to enclose the chamber at the opening, wherein thecartridge includes orifices defined therein, and wherein at least one ofthe orifices is aligned at a non-zero angle with respect to the axialdirection of the base.
 7. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein thecartridge is removable from the base upon actuation by a user.
 8. Thehandheld device of claim 7, wherein the base includes an indentation andthe removable cartridge is friction fit within the indentation.
 9. Thehandheld device of claim 6, further comprising a power supply providedwithin the base.
 10. The handheld device of claim 9, further comprisinga button associated with the power supply and adapted to cause the powersupply to supply current to the heating element so as to cause theheating element to heat.